http://www.macleans.ca/world/global/article.jsp?content=20080806_32272_32272
Beijing is riding the wave of the future, argues a renowned internationalist
MAURICE STRONG | August 6, 2008 |
True, the devastating impact of this earthquake and its aftermath reveal weaknesses and inadequacies in governance at the local level. China has been making progress in building a vibrant, modern society, but inevitably it still has to cope with massive problems left by its turbulent past. Still, that progress is clearly remarkable by any standard. China has raised more people out of poverty than any nation has ever done, and it is deeply committed to its objective of ensuring that those who have been left behind are able to participate in the benefits of its dynamic economy.
The constraints that the Chinese and foreigners living here continue to experience are minimal and for the most part understandable, given that no nation has suffered from societal breakdown, internal conflict and foreign intervention more than China has in the past century. It is a small wonder that the Chinese place such emphasis on the need for internal stability and security. And both the Chinese and the foreigners who appreciate the benefits of this understand and are impressed by the advancements that continue to be made in the movement toward more democratic processes and respect for human rights. Indeed, we must realize that even in our own societies the standards we exhort China to adopt are those we have only recently, and not yet fully, lived up to ourselves. The Chinese will be much more influenced by our example than by the uninformed and hypocritical content of so much of our criticism. Societies progress at different speeds, and in different ways, toward incorporation into their political and social systems of the highest principles and values to which they aspire. China has made immense progress toward meeting the goals and objectives articulated by its leaders of producing a harmonious society guided by science that will meet the needs and aspirations of all its people and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world society. Indeed, it is embarking on a distinctive and unprecedented pathway to a new model of development based on utilizing the methods of capitalism to achieve the goals of socialism — a socialist market economy. The entire world has a great stake in the success of China in making this transformation. Following the example of the traditional industrialized countries would not be sustainable for China, or for the world. To be sure, this is a monumental challenge that is still a work in progress. But it is in all of our interests that China be successful in doing so, and that we lend it our understanding and support.
Hostile attitudes and policies aimed at undermining China's progress and discrediting its policies and intentions can only be counterproductive, and contrary to our own interests. For there is not a single major world issue that can be resolved without China's co-operation. It is not that we should forgo legitimate and constructive criticisms and differences, but that these be resolved by engagement with China as a full partner, rather than by the kind of entrenched hostility and bias we so often display.
We should continue to facilitate China's full participation in the policy and decision-making processes by which the future of all of us is being shaped. Climate change is an issue that is especially relevant. China realizes that it will be one of the most vulnerable victims of climate change and is already taking serious measures domestically to avert these risks. But it cannot be expected to transform these into binding commitments that are not matched by firm and enforceable commitments by the countries, notably the United States, whose accumulated emissions of greenhouse gases have caused the irreversible damage already inflicted on the world. The attempt to shift the onus for climate change to China, India and other rapidly industrializing developing countries is neither fair nor workable.
China's participation in the post-Kyoto agreements now being negotiated is necessary and will be forthcoming only on the basis of a fair sharing of responsibilities and obligations in which those who have contributed most to the problem of climate change must take the lead.
Similarly, the attempt to shift the onus for increases in food, oil and commodity prices to China, as well as India and others now competing for these imports, will be counterproductive. The needs of the poor and the newly developing countries cannot be subordinated to the wasteful and indulgent appetites of the rich and their pre-emption of a disproportion of the world's resources.
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